Retractable operating head for a vertically actuated arbor or assembly press



SHOUP RETRACTABLE OPERATING HEAD FOR VERTICALLY Dec. 11, 1945\ s. s.

ACTUATED ARBOR OR ASSEMBLY PRESSES Flled June 16 1943 4 Sheets-Shet 1 u u w Dec. 11, 1945. s, 5 SHQUP 2,390,849

RETRACTABLE OPERATING HEAD FOR VERTICALLY ACTUATED ARBOR OR ASSEMBLY PRESSES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Filed June 16, 1943 BYQ/ ATTORNEY Dec. 11, 1945. s. s. SHOUP RETRACTABLE OPERATING HEAD FOR VERTICALLY ACTUATED ARBOR OR ASSEMBLY PRESSES Filed June 16, 1943 4 Sheets- Sheet 5 II VENTOR BY /Q- /w e 2 Fla-3 ATTORNEY Dec. 11, 1945. s s, SHOUP 2,390,849

' RETRACTABLE OPERATING HEAD VERTICALLY ACTUATED ARBOR OR ASSEMB PRESSES Filed June 16 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FOR LY 1945 FIG. 4

- 5 INVENTOR Eva/M ATTORNEY l Patented Dec. 11, 1945 RETRACTABLE OPERATING HEAD FOR A VERTICALLY ACTUATED ARBOR OR AS- SEMBLY PRESS Stanley S. Shoup, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to The National Supply Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 16, 1943, Serial No. 491,071

2 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to the pressing of relatively long heavy objects, such as shafts, into or out of correspondingly short bores of mating heavy objects, such as collars, gear blanks et cetera, through the use of a vertical arbor or assembly press provided with a retractable operating head.

Several methods are used for assembling heavy objects, such as shafts in collars, gear blanks and. the like, by the use of the hydraulic press. These presses may be either horizontally or vertically operated.

When a horizontally actuated press is used it is exceedingly difficult to maintain axial alignment of the mating parts, especially where the parts weigh in the order of several hundred pounds or more each and must be handled by overhead hoisting means. A horizontally actuated press is more apt to bend the shaft than a vertically actuated one due to the nature of the pressing operation.

The principal problem encountered in pressing a long heavy shaft into the relatively short bore of a collar, gear blank, or the like with a vertically actuated press is. to maintain the shaft absolutely normal to the platen or work table of the press and the end surface of the collar, gear blank orthe like. In other words, the longitudinal axis of the shaft must'be maintained in longitudinal axial alignment with the bore of the collar or gear blank at all times during the pressing or assembling operation. This is particularly true at the beginning of the operation, otherwise it is very easy to press the shaft into the collar or gear blank at an angle to the axis. When the shaft is relatively long and heavy with respect to the length of the bore, even a very slight deviation from axial alignment will either prevent the engagement of the mating parts or advancement of the shaft member into the bore to the desired position as a result of galling.

It is well known in the art? that the use of the vertically actuated press materially reduces the chance for axial misalignment of the shaft with the bore, since the dead weight of the shaft alone has a tendency to assist in maintaining the shaft plumb and normal to the platen or work table while it is being entered into the bore of the collar, gear blankor the like. Furthermore, the dead weight of the heavy shaft materially assists the ram in the pressing operation and offers less opportunity for the ram to apply such extreme pressure on the shaft as to cause it to bend or buckle while under the pressure of the ram, which in some cases, such as the instant application, amounts to as much as 250 tons or more.

The principal objection heretofore to the use of the vertically actuated press has been the difiiculty encountered in placing the heavy shaft and collar or gear blank upon the work table of the press in axial alignment preparatory to proceeding with the assembling operation. When the mating parts weigh several hundred pounds or more each, an overhead hoisting means must be used to handle them and it has been very difficult to accomplish this feat without interfering with the ram head of the press.

It is, therefore, one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide an operating head for use with a'vertically actuated arbor or assembly press which may be retracted from its normal upright working position to allow a work element to be hoisted into position on the platen or work face of the press preparatory to performing work thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means to assure more perfect axial alignment of a long heavy shaft with the bore of a relatively short collar, gear blank or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a retractable. operating head for a vertically actuated press that may be moved out of the way of the work piece so that said work piece may be lowered vertically to effect an axial entrance into the bore of the mating part secured on the platen or work table of the press.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in a vertically actuated assembly press, a positive means for locking the retractable operating head and tension membersin vertical alignment with respect to the work platen and maintain the same during the work assembly operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in a vertically actuated assembly press, an hydraulic safety means for holding the retractable operating head and tension members in Vertical alignment against a bearing on the frame of the press while the locking means is released preparatory to retracting said head.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in a vertically actuated assembly press, a positive mechanical stop for the retracting mechanism employed to move the operating head from its normally vertical operating position.

Other objects and intended advantages of this invention will clearly appear from the following particular description and appended claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of this invention wherein like parts are designated by like numerals.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a vertical assembly press shown in operating position embodying the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same assembly press showing the assembly ram of Fi 1 in its retracted position and a collar or gear blank positioned on the-work platen and a mating shaft held in vertical axial" alignment with the bore of the collar or gear blank by an overhead hoistv ing means preparatory to assembling the two mating work pieces. r I

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation partly in section of the assembly press showing the work to be assembled in light dot and dash lines.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of. the assembly press showing the self contained hydraulic operating devices necessary to its operation.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed view of the tension member locking device.

Referring to the drawings, the present invention is shown incorporated in a device including a base generally represented at A, normally vertical tension members B, an hydraulic actuated assembly ram C, fulcrums D to which the tension positive vertical alignment with respect to the members B are hinged and an hydraulic retract- A pair of normally vertical spaced tension" member or: uprights B arepivotally mounted or hinged to the base memberl at fulcrum D;

' The assembly ram 0 is mounted upon the'upper end of the spaced uprights or tension members B and includes a crosshead 4, an hydraulic assembly ram with a ram head 5,'mounted therein and an electric motor and power pump unit B-to build up hydraulic pressure'in said mm. A reservoir for the hydraulic fluid is incorporated in the hollow portion of the crosshead.- Suitable hydraulic connecting lines 'I-convey the hydraulic fluid through the necessary control valves to the said ram head to actuate the same. A pressure gauge 8 is mounted in the hydraulic line to indicate the pressure built up in said ram head. A system of hydraulic control levers, terminating in a valve control lever 9,is positioned in the axial plane of one of the tension members 3 and at a convenient location for the operator. Manipulation of this control lever regulates the vertical movement of the-ram head 5 with respect to the work to be assembled. The crosshead is securely locked to the tension membersby means of heavy anchor nuts Ill, secured to the exposed threaded ends of said tension members B, thus forming a rigid Ueshaped frame. Adjusting shims or wedges (not shown) may be provided if necessary for use between the shoulder I I on the upper portion of the tension members'and the lower seating face I2 of the crosshead to accurately position the crosshead parallel to thework surface or platen 3 mounted on the base I. a

The vertical members 2 are bifurcated to receive the tension members or uprights B therebetween. As stated above, these tension members are pivotally mounted or hinged to the base memberl at fulcrum D and are accurately and'securely locked in their normally vertical operating-position by means of a locking device. This locking device. best shown in Fig. 5, cons sts of a locking bolt I3 welded to the tension member B,

work surface or platen 3 during the work assembly operations.

-An hydraulic power unit I! for furnishing m0- tive means to actuate the tension members 2 and the retracting rams E are mounted on the rear horizontal portion of the base I. Suitable hydraulic connecting lines I8 convey the hydraulic motive fluid from the power unit I! through the necessary operating valves to the ram cylinders I9. Flexible and telescoping connections are provided where necessary to furnish uninterrupted power to the rams while they are in the course of their oscillatory movement..

The lower ends ,of the retracting ram-cylinders I9 are pivotally connected by hinge pins 20 to'the brackets 2| formed integral with; and located at,

the rear of the horizontal portion of the base I The upper ends of the ram piston rods 22are each provided with an adjustable clevis 23. and lock nut 24, which are in turn hingedly attached to brackets 25-by means of hinge pins 26. The

brackets 25 are formed integral with or:welded-to' the tension members B and are located atapoint approximately diametrically opposite the locking boltsI3. v A system of hydraulic. control levers, similar .to those for the vertical operation of the assembly ram C and terminatingin a valve control lever 2-1 is provided in a convenient .locationon' the base I for controlling the movements of -the retracting rams E and, through said rams, theretractingor swinging movement of the tension, members and assembly ram C or inverted U shape'dframe.f.

An adjustable choke valve 28 is inserted in the discharge line betweenthe lowerendv of the ram cylinder I9 and the fluid supply reservoir in. the power unit l1; This valve may beadjusted to regulate the rate of travel of .the tension memberassembly ram unit. or frame regardlessof the amount. the valve control lever 21 is opened;

A by-pass valve .29 is inserted in the hydraulic ing assembled to project through the collar a considerable distance. This pit 'may be made deep enough to :receive a long shaft when it is desired to press a shaft out of a bore in a collar orgear blank as well as for assembly purposes;

In operation:

When it is desired .to assemble a pair of mating work pieces such as collar or gear F and a long shaft G, shown in dot and dash lines in Figs. 2 and 3, the tension member-assembly ram unit or in- 'verted U-shaped frame must be retracted from its normally vertical position. This is accomplished by first taking the precaution to see that the ram head 5 in the crosshead 4 is elevated sufficiently to admit the work pieces between the lower surface of said ram head and the work platen'3. Fluid pressure is built up in the ram by'operat ing the electric motor and power pum unit 6. The hydraulic valve control lever 9 is manipulated to introduce hydraulic pressure to theram head 5 to accomplish this.

The next step in the operation is to build up fluid pressure in the hydraulic power unit I l in a manner similar to that used in the ram head assembly unit C to provide an hydraulic holding means to maintain the tension member-assembly ram unit or frame in its normal vertically upright position while the locking nut I is loosened and the locking bar I4 is swung out of its lock engaging position. The bypass valve 29 acts as a safety feature to protect the pump from overload while the fluid pressure holds the unit rigid while the mechanical locking device is being released prior to the retracting of said unit.

The valve control lever 21 is next manipulated to the proper position for retracting the tension member-assembly ram unit or frame which swings in an arcuate path about the fulcrum D. At the same time the retracting ram piston rods 22, pivotally attached to the tension members B by the hinge pins 26, move downwardly in the ram cylinders I9 as said ram cylinders swing in an are about their fulcrum pins 20.

The tension member-assembly ram unit or frame is then retracted from the vertical for the full length of the stroke of the ram piston. In this position there is ample clearance for the work F and G to be lowered vertically onto the work platen 3. The lower end of the ram piston coming in contact with the bottom of the ram cylinder provides a positive stop for the retracted assembly unit. This takes the load off the power unit l1 and provides a safety device for the said unit. The hydraulic power is then shut off while the work pieces are lowered on to the work platen bymeans of the overhead hoist H.

The hub 3| of the work piece F is set squarely upon the work platen 3 and in vertical alignment with th ram head 5 when in its normal operating position. When the hub 3| of the work piece is shorter than the face 32, a spacer or separator 33 is interposed between the hub and the platen for assembly purposes. This separator may vary in length as the occasion demands.

After the work piece F is properly centered upon the platen, the mating work piece G is lowered in a vertical position by means of the overhead hoist I-I into vertical alignment with the bore in the work piece F. The shaft is then accurately supported in axial vertical alignment with the bore and the overhead hoisting means is removed.

. The retractabl tension member-assembly ram unit or frame is then returned to its normally vertical position by reversing the process used to retract the same.

This assembly unit is securely locked in position by means of the locking bar [4 and locking nut l5 bearing against the corresponding bearing surface of the quadrant bearing 16 on the frame 2.

The ram head 5 is then lowered by means of the control valve 9 and fluid pressure described above and brought into contact with the upper end of the work piece G.

When it is definitely assured the shaft G is absolutely in vertical axial aligmnent with the bore of the work piece F further pressure is applied to the ram head 5 and the shaft is pressed into the bore to the desired position.

To remove the assembled work .pieces F and G the ram head 5 is elevated to its original position and the assembly unit or frame is retracted as described above and the overhead hoist H is employed to remove said work assembly.

It is obvious that my press can be utilized for pressing shafts out of gears or collars as well as for assembling them.

While only a typical preferred form and application of my invention has been herein described, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details set forth and wish to reserve to myself any further embodiments, modifications and variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

1. In a, work assembly press, the combination with a base integrally formed with a horizontal bed plate and bifurcated vertical members, said members being provided with looking elements, a work surface mounted on said base, an inverted U-shaped frame comprising a pair of vertical tension members in spaced relation and a cross head rigidly mounted on the upper ends of said tension members, said frame being pivotally attached at its lower end to said base and adapted for arcuate movement in a vertical plane around said pivot, lock members attached to said tension members and adapted to engage said locking elements on said vertical members, whereby positive vertical alignment of said tension members with respect to said work surface is maintained during the work assembly operation, a work engaging and pressure applying means carried by said frame, and means for imparting said arcuate movement to said frame, said last named means being extensible and pivotally attached to said base at one end and to said frame at the other end.

2. In a press adapted to assemble work pieces, the combination with a base integrally formed with a horizontal bed plate and bifurcated vertical members, said members being provided with looking elements, a work surface mounted on said base, an inverted U-shaped frame comprising a pair of vertical tension members in spaced relation and a cross head rigidly mounted on the upper ends of said tension members, said frame being pivotally attached at its lower end to said base and adapted for actuate movement in a vertical plane around said pivot, lock members attached to said tension members and adapted to engag said locking elements in said vertical members, whereby positive vertical alignment of said tension members with respect to said work surface, is maintained during the work assembly operation, a work engaging and pressure applying means carried by said frame, and power actuated means for imparting said arcuate movement to said frame, said last named means being extensible and pivotally attached to said base at one end and to said frame at the other end and being provided with a positive stop to limit the arcuate movement of said frame.

STANLEY S. SHOUP. 

